Sorry it's taken so long for me to post this…been very busy with work lately…and unfortunately, work pays the bills unlike Fan Fiction.
Chapter 13Doug opened the hospital room door quietly and walked into the room. His partner seemed to be resting comfortably on the bed and he didn't want to disturb him just yet. He sat down on the chair near the bed and gave Tom a quick once over. Tom had some pretty bad bruising on his face that stood out against his pale skin.
"Stop staring at me Penhall. You're making me nervous." Tom said, opening his dark brown eyes.
"Uh, sorry. I was just, uh, admiring your bruises?" Doug said with a goofy grin.
"Well stop. You're creeping me out." Tom said, returning the smile. He struggled to sit up, wincing at the pain that throbbed in his skull.
"How's the head?" Doug asked after witnessing the distress on his friend's face.
"Feels like it was run over by a truck." Tom said. "The nurse should be bringing me some pain meds soon."
Doug had that goofy grin plastered on his face again. "Is she cute?" he asked with genuine curiosity.
Tom rolled his eyes and replied, "Doug, she's like 50 years old. Somehow I don't think she's your type."
"Hey, I was just asking." Doug said. Then on a more serious note he added, "So, when are you getting out of here?"
Tom looked over at his partner and knew that something was up. "Why? Something happen?"
Doug knew he couldn't hide anything from Tom. He was too smart for that. "We've got a location on Vinnie. We're going after him tonight."
Tom sat up and started to swing his legs over the side of the bed. He couldn't help but grimace as his head began pounding. He started to stand when Doug put a hand on his shoulder and gently pushed him back down on the bed.
"Where do you think your going?" Doug asked.
"I'm coming to help get Vinnie." Tom answered.
"What? Tom, you've got a pretty bad concussion. I don't think you need to go anywhere… You're in no shape to go traipsing after Vinnie and his goons." Doug said.
Tom glared at his partner. "Doug, I'm going to help get this bastard and there's not a damn thing you can do to stop me. So you might as well help me get dressed or just get out of my way."
Doug knew that once his partner made his mind up about something, that there was no way that anyone could change it. Sighing in frustration he looked at his partner. "Okay, okay… just slow down a bit. The last thing I need is for you to fall flat on your face before we ever get out of the hospital."
"Funny Penhall, very funny." Tom muttered as he began to pull on his clothes. "Hand me my shirt, will ya?"
Doug handed him his shirt just as a nurse walked into the room. "Mr. Hanson, what do you think you are doing? You should be resting."
"I'm checking myself out today. Could you get my doctor to get my release papers please?" Tom asked.
"Mr. Hanson, I really think you should lie back down." The nurse argued.
Doug stepped in and said, "There's no sense in arguing with him. He's stubborn and once he makes up his mind, no one can change it."
The nurse shook her head and left the room to find the doctor.
"See, I told you she wasn't your type." Tom joked.
"Laugh it up Hanson." Doug said sarcastically as Tom finished pulling his shirt on. They both turned towards the door when it opened and a doctor walked in.
"Mr. Hanson, what's this I hear about you wanting your release papers? I really need to advise you that I would like to keep you for another 24 hours for observation." The doctor stated.
"Doctor, I need to leave. I've got work to do." Tom said. "Besides, I'm fine, really."
The doctor looked at him skeptically. He could tell that Tom was still in pain, but there was nothing he could do to make him stay in the hospital. Sighing, he said, "Well, Mr. Hanson, if you leave it will be against medical advice and I have to let you know that I nor the hospital will be held responsible if something happens to you."
"I understand Doctor. I'll be fine, I promise." Tom said, taking the paper that the doctor handed over to him.
"Here, take these. Take 2 every four hours for the pain." The doctor said, handing Tom a small prescription bottle.
"Thanks. For everything." Tom said, following Doug out the door. "Come on Doug, let's go catch us a bad guy."